Kurteisi

Kurteisi is a term used in discourse studies to describe the deliberate practice of conciseness in both speech and writing. It denotes a style that aims to convey essential information with minimal extraneous language, balancing efficiency with clarity and courtesy.

Core features include brevity in word choice, elimination of redundancy, preference for concrete nouns and strong verbs, and a preference for active voice. The approach often employs structural economy, such as shorter sentences and purposeful omission of implied context when the audience is presumed to share background knowledge.

Kurteisi appears in multiple domains, including journalism, corporate communication, public policy, and digital communications. Advocates argue it enhances readability, speeds comprehension, and reduces cognitive load. Critics warn that excessive concision can obscure nuance, tone, and important qualifications.

Practices associated with kurteisi include audience-focused editing, readability assessment, and style guidelines that favor direct, unambiguous phrasing. It is commonly taught in writing courses and professional communication trainings as a component of plain language and effective messaging.

Scholarly treatment of kurteisi typically situates it within broader discussions of brevity, rhetoric, and information design. While not tied to a single language or tradition, the concept has influenced contemporary norms for concise communication across many cultures.